Honor teachers by helping them educate our children

In today’s political climate, we have become increasingly polarized in our ideas on how government should function and what its role is in delivering public services. In the past few years, nowhere has this been more evident than in public education.

The recent teachers’ uprisings nationwide illustrate the devastating impact that some ideas have had on educators and, inevitably, our children. The walkouts are the result of a system that, for the past two decades, has not supported educators and has stripped them of their ability to provide our children with the tools they need to succeed.

Instead of hearing their calls for help over the years, we have sat idly by as taxpayer funds are being shifted out of the hands of public schools and into the pockets of private entities — organizations that operate with impunity and under no guarantee that children are receiving the education they need to become successful contributing members of our society. A quality education is important for all children, for all communities. Public school teachers need to know that they matter.

As a product of public education, I understand and share this same vision. In fact, it was the driving force that inspired my family to establish the Mourning Family Foundation in 1997 and later establish a partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools in North Miami for Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High.

Supporting public education by working alongside those who tirelessly work to produce our future business leaders, healthcare professionals, elected officials and social service providers will be my family’s legacy. While we often bear witness to the challenges that many of our students face, such as lack of resources in schools and government mandates that widen opportunity gaps, we also bear witness to the school district’s fight for increased funding and more resources. Most important, we bear witness to our teachers who relentlessly pursue the highest level of academic success for their students.

Because of our teachers, we have been able to accomplish great things. We are proud to say that because of our educators, our students now rank as A-rated students, something that was not thought to be possible less than 20 years ago. This is a dream that only came to fruition because of the magic of the exceptional teachers who made it so — exemplary teachers, such as our own 2018 Teacher of the Year Molly Winters Diallo, who was honored by MDCPS for propelling her students towards achieving outstanding academic success.

Teachers are the true champions and heroes of our communities. With them, we give hope to thousands of children by helping them to expand their horizons and by opening their eyes to what is possible for them in this world. As a little girl my mom would say “If they can keep you uneducated, they can control you.” She knew the importance of education, and now I know the importance of educators. Because of them, I am free. Without them, we fail to provide the opportunities and the future that adults tell kids they can attain through education and hard work. To that I say, not on our watch.

We must fight for educators; their pay and the appropriate tools and resources necessary to educate, empower and inspire our youth. They deserve to be saluted every day for their courage, commitment and strength — every day, not just this week.

Tracy Wilson Mourning is the co-founder of the Mourning Family Foundation and Honey Shine.

This story was originally published May 9, 2018 at 7:37 PM with the headline "Honor teachers by helping them educate our children."